Happy Fall!

Yes, the leaves fall a little bit even in Dallas. It's been really cool this week--it was literally summer here last week and suddenly it was "cold" fall (cold for Texas:)) A good time for being outside with the pumpkins. We've been inside a lot lately because poor Abigail had her very first ear infection, a double one to boot, and is still finishing her second round of antibiotics. So we are so glad she's feeling better now.

This is her very own little pumpkin that has a couple of bumps on it that she promptly called boo-boos. She doesn't miss a thing!

We've had a fun time before getting sick---my whole family came from Kansas City and stayed with us. We had fun as usual--the guys went to the TX vs. OU game while the girls did a little shopping and lots of talking! We also went to Belton, TX to see our good friend Libby cheer at the football game. Abigail got to go on the track with all of the girls and got a pom-pom which she loved. Her cousin Kole really wanted one too, and called it a "pom-flag", but his Daddy said no way!

Our little gymnast

Abigail went to her friend Gracie's 3 year old birthday party at ASI gymnastics and had a blast. She really is quite the little climber and flipper for being so little. Colby taught her how to do "flips" and she actually tucks her little head in with the proper form! Here she is "jumping" on the trampoline with all of the big kids watching. I was proud of her, but a little exhausted after chasing her around a huge gym, and all of its hazards for an hour.



I had to show her TWO ponytails to everyone. Her hair is still short on the top, but long and curly in the back---long enough for her first two ponytails.

First Day of "School"!

Abigail started Sunshine School at our church this week! She's in a little one year old class for two days a week. I have been looking forward to this for a long time. Without our families in town, I just don't get a lot of breaks during the day, so this worked out perfectly. It also allows me to do a little dental hygiene work. I wasn't sure what to expect, and wasn't sure if Abigail would like it, but I'm so glad we took her. I had no idea what a big operation Sunshine School is at our church. There were tons of kids there, so Abigail was just in awe. I thought it might be overstimulating to her since she doesn't have sibling/cousin's around a lot---Nope!! She didn't want to go home when I picked her up!! She loves it. When I dropped her off, the teacher had music on and was dancing with the babies---I just think it will be so good for her. So, I didn't plan much for the day because I was so focused on getting her bag/lunch/etc. together and just getting her started. I drove off and just took this huge breath, like "Aaahhh"---it was a wonderful and sort of strange feeling. I'm really looking forward to doing some things for myself while Abigail is in school---solo grocery trips, working out alone, meeting Colby for lunch alone, doctors appointments for ME actually, and just being able to dive into a project/cleaning at home without having to stop because nap time is over!!

We're so proud of our big girl with her school lunch bag. Wow, it's going by fast.

Okay, she's still a baby with strawberry sunglasses on!! We take long walks in our neighborhood all the time, and she likes to wear her sunglasses. She cracks us up. She's got quite a little personality already. If you ask her what her name is she will answer "Abby" very clearly. I love it!

August Update

What a month! August has been a little wild--we had our trip to Arkansas, Abigail was sick with a throat virus for about 2 weeks, I worked a little, my family came to visit, and at the peak of all of this, our air conditioning broke last week during the hottest week of the summer. My Mom was in town to watch Abigail so I could work last week and on their first afternoon together, the A/C broke. It took the entire week to get our new A/C--thankfully our warrenty payed for it---so we spent the week just trying to stay cool. I was getting ready for work one morning at 5:30 a.m. and it was still 90 degrees in our home--Yuck! So I am so thankful to be sitting in our cool house today. Here is just some fun new pics of our little squirt!

Abigail and her best friend Macie ( well, some day anyways!). They were dressed alike at church with their purple gingham. Yep, I still don't know how to rotate!

Playing in the water fountain when Aunt Jamie was in town to visit. Any place to eat with a fountain is a good place to be for us right now. She was all full of chips and guacamole, and Jamie fed her lots of queso too. She's a little Texas baby.

Playing with Aunt "Mamie". Jamie only gets 4 days off a month with her residency and she came to visit us while using them all. Had a blast as always. We had a successful trip to Sam Moon---Jennifer you should have been with us:) My parents came to visit also. Abigail calls my dad "Bop" and they are pretty big buds. My Dad is very high energy, so we think Abigail is just drawn to him since she is a fast paced mover girl. She likes to be with him, because he doesn't want to stay in one place either just like her:)

I never even think to put Abigail in this type of cart when we go to the store, but apparantly Colby's been doing it for a while when he goes with Abigail. And, she loves it! He started to put her in and I said " No, Colby--she's too little for that!" I was wrong! She keeps her hands on the wheel almost the entire time we're in the store.

Colby's Reunion

We went to Fayetteville a couple of weeks ago for Colby's 10 year HS reunion. We had fun romping around Fayetteville like high schoolers again. Thanks to Nana Barb and Aunt Hannah, who watched Abigail for us Friday and Saturday night.
We had a family picnic Saturday afternoon. Abigail fell and got her first busted lip:(

Colby, Abigail and I went to downtown Fayetteville before the picnic. It is one of my favorite little "downtowns". They have a farmers market every Sat and this fountain that all of the kids are aloud to play in. Abigail had so much fun--she's a little water baby. She says the word "water" as clear as day---no kidding. Our pediatrician was shocked!

Favorite Things

She may be little, but this girl knows what she wants. I seem to hear that a lot from friends with little girls lately. I've taught Abigail some sign language to ease some of the frustration of trying to tell me things that she REALLY wants! I've taught her "more", "down", "all done", and a couple of others. The three that I listed are the ones that she is most motivated to do. She signs "more" with so much feeling it cracks us up. She wants "more" of that really bad Mama! And the "more" sign means more food, more toys, more flags to look at on the side of the road; pretty much anything she's wanting at the time, but it's made things a lot easier at our house. So, here is one thing Abigail likes "more" of---her couch! We know it doesn't really go with the decor, but Abigail loves this couch. She climbs all over it, leans back when it's getting close to rest time, and stacks toys on the seat. Hours of fun right here!
Fresh, from the market, sweet corn on the cob. She actually gets some little kernals off of there. Loves it!

And most of all, making this face!! What to do??!! I haven't learned sign language for "please don't give Mama dirty looks Abigail!!" Hilarious

Day at the Farm

We had the best time at this children's farmstead park near Kansas City. The best part was that is was free! Abigail LOVES animals, so she was so happy there. They had lots of wild animals, and little petting zoo areas. They even had a little fishing hole, and pony rides. This picture of Abigail and Kole is dark, but they just look so cute together. Abigail literally is at his heels 24/7. She copies everything he does; and he's so gentle with her and just kind of stares at her like a true guy, as if to say " what is up with her?!" Kole keeps all of his toys in a little pile and carries them around, so Abigail won't take them. She knows exactly which ones are his too, the ones she cannot take, and goes straight for them. So, it was nice to catch a sitting still moment with them.
Abigail is not afraid of animals at all, which I get a kick out of. She just walks right up to dogs, goats, whatever, and would pet all over their face if I would let her. She loved these little goats--they were just her size.

Kole, Abigail and I enjoying the farm.

We were able to buy a bottle of goat milk to feed the little baby goats! This was our favorite.

And here is "fearless" Abigail feeding the goat herself! Although, she got a little confused and attempted to drink the bottle thinking it was her own bottle. That was a little difficult to explain, but ultimately, she shared with the goat!

What fun to watch our little girl enjoy things in the world and having little first experiences like this one!